Fifteen years ago, my DeLonghi was a no-brainer, and it's still serving me well, going strong and even with the original interior light. But it seems to me that the last time this topic came up in the forum, I was told that the brand has been sold and devalued and they're not much good any more.

Bill, your mentioning the cast iron skillet fitting in there makes me wonder how you use it.

I use it when I'm doing steaks sometimes, Jenise. Being apartment dwellers at the moment we dont have a grill. I heat the skillet up on the stove, do one side of the steak (the side with some type of rub on it) on the skillet, flip the steak and toss it in the toaster oven (450F, bake) for a few mins.